October 30, 2008

Creativity Shared

Creativity Shared

Creating art, making crafts, writing poetry or prose are typically solitary pursuits. It is wonderful to create something new, but isolating to want for an audience to provide positive feedback and encouragement. While some people think the Internet has lessoned social interaction, used in a positive way, it actually can increase our connectedness with others.

Now, we can learn techniques from people we would never have otherwise met. We can trade art with people in other communities, states, and countries. We can see, in an instant, what others have created recently, and we can research and learn the history behind different art forms.

When we are planning a trip to a new place, we can research for museums, exhibits, festivals and other art-related events in the area. We can sign up to receive visitor information by mail without making a phone call.The Internet provides a way to share our love of the creative without limitations. Financial, educational, health, accessibility, and travel limitations are somewhat reduced as we share with others who see, in essence, our creative side only. At times, deeper connections can be made as we ask questions, view the art others have created, and look deeper into what the online creative community is doing.

There is going to be an interesting movie, a documentary, out next year (2009): Handmade Nation. Learn more at http://www.handmadenationmovie.com/ You can also obtain a book about the creation of the movie at Amazon.

In conjuntion with Art of Ohio (a division of ACEnet, the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks) I'll be leading workshops on creating Artist Trading Cards, altered books, painting, and other creative endeavors. The techniques will be useful for anyone interested in scrapbooking, altered arts, painting, or creating personal stationary or greeting cards.

artisttradingcards 3501 Members, Archives: Membership requiredThis group is for Artist Trading Cards or ATC's. We run this group so that others can share in our enthusiastic endeavors. We LOVE them! Working on a smaller scale is fun & fast! We want all artists of all mediums to join us, share your artistic knowledge, make friendships with others all over the world and just have FUN! All types of ATC art will be embraced.

ATC_CONNECTION 191 Members, Archives: Membership requiredATC_CONNECTION is a place for artists of all skill levels, beginner to professional, to come together in a welcoming enviroment to discuss and swap Artist Trading Cards (ATC),Altered Boxes, Tins, Books, ETC.For those of you who do not know, Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs as we refer to them, are 2.5"x3.5" works of art. And that is the only rule to making them! They can be any medium, any subject, any style. 2.5"x3.5" is the ONLY rule. This group is created for the trading of atcs and not selling atcs/aceos.We invite you to join us to create and discuss your favorite techniques and methods, as well as to get to know other amazing artists.

ATC_JamsGalore 94 Members, Archives: Membership requiredJAMS are where one person begins by preparing three (3) identical backgrounds and sends to person #2. Person #2 adds something (same thing to each card) and sends to person #3. Person #3 adds something (same thing to each card). The set is now complete. Person #3 keeps one card and mails the other two cards to Person #1, who in turn will mail one card to person #2. This completes the JAM.

ATC_World 1805 Members, Archives: Membership requiredIf you love ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), then come join us! We have swaps running all the time, each listed in the database.

miniatureartisttradingcards 177 Members, Archives: Membership requiredThis group is for the discussion and swapping of Miniature Artist Trading Cards. Mini atc's measure 1.5 x 2.5 inches. They are mini masterpieces on an even smaller scale than the regular size artist trading cards! All mediums are welcome. Please feel free to share your mini artworks

ATC_Fun 360 Members, Archives: Membership requiredArtist Trading Cards are a wonderful way of expressing yourselves and meeting other artists. Any art medium goes, as long as it fits on a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" card. ATC_Fun is a good place to connect with individuals who love making ATC's. And, if you are a newbie, we would love to help you learn and grow. Active participation is encouraged, but not expected. You will find photos, classes and lots of sharing going on. All posts are encouraged to have the subject of ATC's as the focus.

ArtistsCraftersTradingSupplies 218 Members, Archives: Membership requiredWelcome to Artists Crafters Trading Supplies! Do you find yourself inundated with supplies, yet you want more? Are you one of the crafters that want a little of this and a lot of that? Then this is the group for you! Are you done with that book on collage and need some fabric for art dolls? Need game pieces or buttons and have some chalks you no longer use? Offer it up for a trade here. Let the group know what you have and what want to swap for.

ATCswapping 170 Members, Archives: Membership requiredThis group is for swapping Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). There will be themed swaps posted every month which you will sign up for until the date in which the swaps close. Then you will have some time, usually until the end of the month, to make your cards and send to your swap partner. In each themed swap, you will make *ONLY* 2 cards, and they will both be sent to your partner. Please make both card different but on the same theme. Your partner in turn will make 2 cards and send them to you

14_Secrets 143 Members, Archives: Membership required14 Secrets for a Happy Artist's Life Since the 14 Secrets for a Happy Artist's Life include lots of art making and lots of art exchange, that's what you will find here. We are a group of artists that share, swap, exchange and inspire all things artistic from artist's trading cards to fat books and puppets, mostly through our postal services. Having grown quite rapidly, and having a "happy artist" mandate, we are currently taking on new members by invitation only

Altered_stArt 226 Members, Archives: Membership requiredHave you discovered altered art, rubber stamping or mixed media/collage? Would you like to meet other artists, some who are also new to altered art and others who have already stARTed their journey? Altered_stART was originally created as an online group for people who were new to the world of altered art and Yahoo art groups. While we still focus primarily on people who are discovering these art forms, we welcome and encourage people of all skill levels to join